People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals reportedly plans to stage protests at the New Zealand, U.S., and U.K. premieres of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey after wranglers who worked on the film claimed the production is responsible for up to 27 animal deaths.
The American Humane Association said none of the animals died during the actual filming of the three-part Lord of the Rings prequel; rather it was the Wellington, New Zealand farm where the animals were housed that was the problem, a location "filled with bluffs, sinkholes and other 'death traps.'" Some of the animal deaths, however, were from natural causes.
A spokesperson for Hobbit director Peter Jackson acknowledged that horses, goats, chickens, and one sheep died at the farm, which kept roughly 150 animals while the movies were in production. Jackson's spokesperson said that two of the horse deaths were avoidable and that the production company moved to improve housing and stable facilities.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the wranglers "said they repeatedly raised concerns about the farm with their superiors and the production company, owned by Warner Bros., but it continued to be used. They say they want their story aired publicly now to prevent similar deaths in the future."
Source : ign[dot]com
